Caoimhin Kelleher ‘needs to play more football’ and must consider his future at Premier League giants Liverpool if he is to establish himself as the number one goalkeeper for the Republic of Ireland national team.
Packie Bonner, the legendary Irish shot-stopper, is not the only one encouraging Liverpool’s Cork-born back-up to consider his options.
Ireland coach Stephen Kenny himself admits that he expects Coaimhin Kelleher to look for a move away from Anfield, having lost his place to Southampton’s Gavin Bazunu between the sticks at international level.
Kelleher was on the bench again during Ireland’s 3-0 Euro 2024 qualifier victory over Gibraltar this week.
Caoimhin Kelleher has decision to make over Liverpool future
And Bonner believes that Kelleher can only hope to oust Bazunu by playing first-team football week-in, week-out at club level.
“Caoimhin needs to play more football,” Bonner tells the Irish Independent. “The more games at senior level will make him an even better goalkeeper. And he will learn from playing matches.
“More games means more experience. And that, in turn, means you’re making better decisions and learning all of the time. It going to be very tough for him to get into the team at Liverpool.”
Alisson Becker – arguably the finest goalkeeper in world football – remains firmly established as Jurgen Klopp’s number one.
Kelleher has spoken openly about his growing frustration with regards to his back seat role. Though the 24-year-old certainly didn’t do his reputation much good with an error-strewn display during the final day 4-4 draw at Southampton.
Tottenham Hotspur have been linked but are now prioritising Brentford’s David Raya instead. Brentford themselves, meanwhile, have already brought in Mark Flekken from Freiburg, though the club’s technical director Lee Dykes conformed earlier this month that he is a fan of Liverpool’s number two.
“Kelleher is a good goalkeeper,” Dykes told the Beautiful Game Podcast. “There is no doubt in that.
“He is a good goalkeeper. He has not played a lot of games obviously, he has been in the shadows a little bit at Liverpool.”
According to The Athletic, Liverpool value Kelleher at around £25 million.
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